What Is the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)?

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) offers TRAQ as an instructor-led credential that demonstrates professional knowledge in tree risk assessment through participation in a training course and passing its accompanying exam. The TRAQ program offers tree care professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the fundamentals of tree risk assessment by learning a standardized, systematic process for assessing tree risk and providing information to tree owners and risk managers for making informed decisions that will promote the safety of people and property and enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity.

COURSE CONTENT

The course content is based on ISA’s Tree Risk Assessment Manual and is divided into nine modules:

1.   Introduction to Tree Risk Assessment
2.   Levels of Assessment
3.   Target Assessment
4.   Site Assessment
5.   Tree Biology and Mechanics
6.   Tree Inspection and Assessment
7.   Data Analysis and Risk Categorization
8.   Mitigation
9.   Reporting

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for ISA Certification Holders 

If you hold an ISA certification, you can earn 14.5 ISA CEUs if you complete the ISA Tree Risk Assessment course, attending at least 80 percent of the instructional portion of the program. These CEUs can be applied to your ISA Certified Arborist® credential, including the Tree Worker credentials. For an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®, 6 CEUs go to practice, 6 to management, and 2.5 to science.

What Are the Course Objectives?

•   Comprehension of the fundamentals of limited-visual and basic tree risk assessment as defined in the ISA Best Management Practices: Tree Risk Assessment;
•   Knowledge of the principles of advanced diagnostic techniques for assessing tree risk;
•   Mastery of methods for gathering and evaluating information to assess tree risk;
•   Development of reasoned judgments and recommendations for mitigating identified risk.

How Are the TRAQ Course and Exam Presented?

The standard ISA TRAQ course is a two-day, in-person training course followed by a half-day examination. (Instructors may extend the time/length of the course in specific circumstances.) Lectures, discussions, small-group activities, applied case studies, and field activities are all a part of the training process. The examination consists of two parts:

• Written exam: 100 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four answer choices, and only one is correct. You will have two hours to complete the written exam.
• Performance-based exam: An actual, outdoor tree assessment will test your ability to apply tree risk principles to a tree at the training site. You will have one hour to complete the performance-based exam.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for the TRAQ Course?

An eligible applicant for a TRAQ course must have earned at least one of the following credentials:

• ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®
• ISA Certified Arborist®
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
• A degree in Arboriculture, urban forestry, traditional forestry, or horticulture that is part of a national qualifications framework or is from a college or university that is accredited or recognized under a system that is substantially similar to accreditation.
• AHC30810 Certificate III in Arboriculture (Australia)
• European Tree Technician
• European Tree Worker
• New Zealand National Certificate in Horticulture (Arboriculture) (Level 4)
• United Kingdom Qualifications and Credit Framework Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Arboriculture

ISA maintains records of its own credential holders; however, ISA credentials that expired in 2001 or earlier may require documentation. Applicants must provide valid documentation of any other credentials to demonstrate eligibility. For a full list of credentials, please refer to the application guide. If you hold a credential or have completed a program of study not listed above, go to the ISA website for information on eligibility appeals. You will be required to send a scanned PDF copy of your qualification certificate or academic transcript to office@qaa.net.au or via the document uploading section on the website TRAQ registration page.

Nondiscrimination
The ISA Qualifications Program does not discriminate in determining eligibility on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Accommodations for Participants with Disabilities
It is the intent of ISA to provide accessibility to ISA courses to any qualified participant with a documented disability upon reasonable notice and without requiring ISA to take action which would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the course or an undue financial burden to ISA or the course host. If you have a special need and require an accommodation for a course, please complete the Special Accommodations Request Form and submit it to qual@isa-arbor.com. Your request will be reviewed, and you will be notified of a determination.

Confirmation
You will be notified:

• When your application is received
• After your application is approved
  

A confirmation packet will be shipped to you three weeks prior to the course date (Please provide a physical home delivery address – NO PO Boxes), which includes

• The Tree Risk Assessment Manual
• The Tree Risk Assessment Workbook
• Tree Risk Assessment Clipboard
• A letter containing the date and time of the course.

No refunds or discounts are given if you already own the Tree Risk Assessment Manual.

What to bring

• Government photo ID (such as a driver’s license)
• Tree Risk Assessment Manual
• Tree Risk Assessment Workbook with pre-course activities completed (Workbook is required to complete the course.)
• Writing utensil(s), including at least one #2 pencil
• Tree Risk Assessment Clipboard
• Appropriate attire for both indoor and outdoor
  activities
• High-visibility vest, coat, or clothing
• Hard hat

The course cost includes all course materials, lunch, and refreshments on both training days and welcome refreshments upon arrival for the exam.

The Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is valid for five (5) years from the date the TRAQ exam is passed. The qualification holder is required to retake the course and pass the exam every five (5) years in order to maintain the qualification.

By applying to participate in a TRAQ event, you authorize the ISA to make your registration and contact information available to the local chapter/associate organisation. You agree to the terms, conditions, and policies outlined in the Tree Risk Assessment Candidate Handbook:

If you need to apply for a TRAQ exam retake only, you must contact us.

Privacy
By applying, you authorize the release of any information for the purpose of verifying your application. ISA has the right to contact any person or organization as part of the review and to notify appropriate organizations if your application contains false information. You also authorize ISA to provide your contact information to your local chapter/associate organization and ISA’s professional affiliates for information-sharing about educational seminars and other events. Your name, location, and credential will also be available to the public on the ISA website. If you do not wish to have your name included on the ISA website or in lists for distribution, contact ISA Customer Service at isa@isa-arbor.com.

** If you do not provide ISA Member number before the registration deadline, you will be charged at either member or non-member prices accordingly.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
All bookings are confirmed upon full payment to the Queensland Arboricultural Association Inc.
If you wish to cancel your booking, the request must be made in writing.

Credits and Refunds

• 1 day prior or on the day – no credit or refund.
• Within 7 days of the event – 20% credit or refund.
• Within 8-30 days of the event – 35% credit or refund.
• Over 31 days before the event – full credit or refund.

**Credits are valid within the same calendar year.

Cancellations
The Queensland Arboricultural Association reserves the right to cancel any activity due to lack of bookings up to two days prior to an event or course.
Please contact us to confirm that your event will go ahead before booking travel or accommodation.

For more detailed information, please refer to the ISA website Tree Risk Qualification Application Guide

TO REGISTER CLICK HERE